The causative agent of a common infectious disease of chlamydia is Chlamydia trachomatis. What is this microorganism and what pathology does it cause? You will learn the answers from this article.
to many questions.
Chlamydia trachomatis. What is it?
This is the name of a unique bacterium that causes chlamydia disease . Its feature is that it lives inside living cells. Therefore, it is very difficult to timely identify, diagnose and treat Chlamydia trachomatis. What is this infection and what are its symptoms, we will consider further.
Signs of the disease
Mostly chlamydia affects the genitourinary system of women and men. In some cases, the ailment proceeds almost imperceptibly, without causing any symptoms. Usually, the first signs of the disease begin to bother only 30 days after direct infection. In this case, the pathogen can cause a whole range of specific pathologies. Depending on the form of the disease, the symptoms can be very diverse. Women usually have liquid white discharge, and men - vitreous. In this case, quite often a burning sensation appears, indicating inflammation of the urethra - urethra. In men, with epididymitis caused by chlamydia, swelling in the scrotum is observed, accompanied by pain. In some cases, an increase in body temperature is possible.
Chlamydial prostatitis is usually diagnosed with prolonged exposure to Chlamydia trachomatis. What is this disease and how does it manifest? The disease is accompanied by pain in the sacrum, perineum and rectum, aggravated by bowel movements and prolonged sitting. If untreated, it is possible to develop male infertility, a decrease in potency. In women, diseases caused by this pathogen are most often asymptomatic. With chlamydial endometritis, spotting may occur. Often the infection causes inflammation of the pelvic organs, accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, fever.
Infection pathways
The infection is transmitted both during sexual intercourse and through underwear and hands infected with Chlamydia trachomatis. Newborns can become infected in utero or when passing through the birth canal.
Complications
For a fairly long time, the infection may not manifest itself in any way. Therefore, due to the lack of treatment, complications may develop. In men, a pathogen can cause infertility and Reiter’s disease (urethritis, conjunctivitis and arthritis at the same time). In women, this is obstruction of the tubes and ectopic pregnancy, in rare cases - Reiter’s disease.
Diagnostics
An analysis of Chlamydia trachomatis is mandatory for pregnant women, as well as for suspected UHC, infertility, stillbirth, salpingitis, proctitis. Frequent changes in sexual partners are also indicative of regular screening for hidden infections. Nowadays, ELISA is very popular - a diagnosis that detects specific antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis, produced in response to the introduction of an infected antigen. The material for this study is blood serum.